Guess What Is The Most Feared Word In Christianity

No, the most feared word in Christianity is not “sushi.”  Although, I have eaten some pretty scary sushi in my time…if you know what I mean.

Nope, the most feared word in the local church is “Go.”  Simple little “go.”  But why is this word so scary?  I’m glad you asked.

It has to do with The Great Commission.

After having declared His deity and authoritative position in the universe (Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”), Jesus then issued some radical instructions to the church at large.  The first of which is that we must “Go.”

He told His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Great Commission Discipleship does not sit still.  Spiritual growth requires engaging in holy activity.  To “Go” suggests movement.  It requires leaving the comfortable place of ‘A’ in order to get to ‘B.’

Great Commission Discipleship requires departing from the convenience of where you are at currently and going to where you are most needed (all the nations).  It is impossible to “Go” if you refuse to budge.  Or to say it more biblically, if you are not going then you are not breathing.  Radical discipleship is always on the move.

Passion for the things of God inevitably results in movement for the glory of Christ.

The Greek word in the Matthew 28:19 text translated “Go” is not an overly remarkable word.  You do not need a Master’s degree in Theology to grasp the fullness of its meaning.  It simply means go.  Nothing special.  Just “Go.”

Yet just because the word “Go” is uncomplicated and rather easy to understand linguistically, that doesn’t mean there is not anything more to be learned.

The Greek word translated “Go” is a supporting participle with a direct relationship to the imperative verb (“make disciples”), which makes it (“Go”) also an imperative.  In other words, because the verb translated “make disciples” is the main command and is in the imperative mood, then all the words linked to or closely associated with it also take on its mood.  (For all of us grammar flunkies, a word in the imperative mood means that it is a command.)

It requires and expects action.  It commands obedience.

This is significant because it teaches us that the crux of Great Commission Discipleship hinges on the verb translated “make disciples” and that the supporting participles (Go, baptize, teach) are simply springboards that describe the actual process of Great Commission Discipleship.  Moreover, it drives the point home that there can be no making of Christ-like disciples unless there is first some going on our part.

In other words, Christ’s plan for biblical discipleship—which the purpose is to “make disciples” of the Lord Jesus Christ—finds its very roots in your obedience to “Go.”

Even though we fail miserably from time to time, true disciples of Christ do desire to live godly lives for the glory of God.  The apostle Paul wrote that, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12; italics mine).  Persecution, then, tends to be the natural outcome of living a radical life of godliness.

And so if you have never been persecuted for your faith in Jesus Christ, what might that be saying about your current level of godliness?

Have you ever been persecuted for living godly in the midst of those around you?  You have probably never been physically assaulted, but has anyone ever smirked at your desire for living for the glory of Jesus Christ and making His name well known?  If not, that might be an indication that something just is not quite right with your soul.

Don’t get me wrong.  I am not saying that you are definitely not a true believer.  What I am suggesting, however, is that maybe you should do what the apostle Paul said and, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Recently I went to the mall to hand out gospel tracts and to talk to people about Jesus.  Toward the end of that evening a college student came up to me with shopping bags clutched in each of his hands.  His five friends stood off to the side—confused—wondering what in the world he was doing.

The young man then said to me, “I don’t know who you are or what you’re handing out, but I feel that I need to take whatever it is you’re giving away.”

God is so good to set up divine appointments like that.  I conversed with that young man for about ten minutes while his friends merely stared at us.  He confessed to me that he grew up in the church and came from a good Christian family, but that he was not walking with God.  Not even close.  He admitted that if he died that night he would end up in hell forever.

We talked more about the gospel and I gave him some Christian literature from our church and a gospel tract.  I then exhorted him to get right with God before it is too late…because no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

If Christians refuse to “Go” then—humanly speaking—disciples of Jesus Christ will never be made.

Paul explained it this way when he wrote, “How will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?  And how will they hear without a preacher?  How will they preach unless they are sent?  Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Romans 10:14-15).

God is sovereign over all things—to be sure—yet He has purposefully designed the plan of Great Commission Discipleship to be in accordance with our obedience to “Go.”

This is truly significant because Jesus was saying that going is non-optional behavior for a believer.  Remember, you are a hammer that Christ wants to wield.  God will swing the hammer of salvation!  Great Commission Discipleship is imperative.  Evangelism and sanctification are commanded.  Disobedience is unacceptable behavior.

The church may have allowed the Great Commission to evolve into The Great Omission, but it is certainly no mere suggestion.  It is the glorious mission we are set apart for in this godless world.  We need to be passionate and persistent about it.

Christians are the brass and strings in the divine orchestra, yet the Lord alone conducts the symphony of salvation.

We must become enamored with God’s crazy love for saving sinners and edifying saints.  Frankly, you and I have not been offered a choice in the matter.  Great Commission Discipleship is a liberating, joy-producing privilege.  It is not a bothersome chore.

And it also happens to be the main function of God’s revealed will for your life today.